Wayland committee approves $2,475 for more Heard Pond water-chestnut pulling

WAYLAND — July 23, 2024 — Wayland's Surface Water Quality Committee authorized $2,475 for two extra water-chestnut hand-pulling days at Heard Pond after permitting delays scuttled a planned herbicide treatment. The 5-0 vote, taken July 23, brings the season's contract with Solitude Lake Management to roughly $12,400, drawn from the committee's $30,000 budget and largely backfilled by $6,600 that had been earmarked for a Clearcast application now pushed to 2025. Member Thomas J. Largy said last year's bloom topped 30,000 plants and cost $22,000, calling South Cove conditions impossible for hand crews. "There's no way that all of the permitting and approval and permitting can be done before the middle of August," Largy said. The committee separately approved up to $2,000 for August water testing on Dudley Pond, where a new harvester, conveyor and experimental skimmer boat have been running since July 9.